| 1. |
- Ekstrand, Y, et al.
(författare)
-
Sensitivity to Environmental Irritants and Capsaicin Cough Reaction in Patients with a Positive Methacholine Provocation Test before and after Treatment with Inhaled Corticosteroids
- 2011
-
Ingår i: JOURNAL OF ASTHMA. - 0277-0903. ; 48:5, s. 482-489
-
Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- BACKGROUND: Increasing evidence points to a potential role for members of the transient receptor potential family of cation channels on several features of asthmatic disease. The cough sensitivity to inhaled capsaicin is known to reflect the reactivity of these airway sensory nerves. OBJECTIVE: The aim was to study, among patients having a positive methacholine provocation and diagnosed with asthma, capsaicin cough sensitivity, sensitivity to methacholine, and levels of exhaled nitric oxide before and after treatment with inhaled steroids, and further, to measure the self-reported impact from environmental irritants. METHODS: Eighteen steroid-naïve patients with a positive methacholine test underwent capsaicin inhalation provocation on two occasions, before and after regular use of inhaled steroids over at least 3 months. Comparisons were made to 21 healthy controls. Sensitivity to methacholine and levels of exhaled nitric oxide were measured before and after the treatment. The participants also answered a validated questionnaire regarding environmental irritants. RESULTS: The patients displayed higher capsaicin cough sensitivity than the controls before the treatment period, but not afterward. Before treatment, capsaicin cough answer correlated significantly with levels of exhaled nitric oxide, but not with methacholine sensitivity. After treatment with inhaled corticosteroids, the capsaicin cough sensitivity and the inflammatory parameters were normalized. In comparison to the control group, the patients reported more affective reactions to and behavioral disruptions induced by environmental irritants. CONCLUSIONS: In steroid-naïve patients with a positive methacholine test, there is a link between that part of the airway inflammation that is reflected by exhaled nitric oxide and that followed by an augmented reactivity of capsaicin-sensitive sensory nerves. This association disappears after steroid treatment.
|
|
| 2. |
|
|
| 3. |
- Hellgren, Johan, 1965, et al.
(författare)
-
Quality of life in non-infectious rhinitis and asthma
- 2004
-
Ingår i: Rhinology. ; 42:4
-
Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- In this study we evaluated how the quality of life in subjects with asthma was affected by a history of non-infectious rhinitis. The study comprised 180 persons with asthma and 156 controls, who answered the Short Form 36 quality of life questionnaire. Both the asthma subjects and the controls were stratified according to a history of non-infectious rhinitis (NIR). The global physical quality of life score (PCS) was significantly lower for all the asthma subjects regardless of their previous history of NIR compared to controls (NIR positive asthma, -8, p=O,001, NIR negative asthma, -9, p=0, 001). The subjects with asthma and a positive history of NIR obtained significantly lower scores for their global mental quality of life (MCS) than the controls (46 vs 51, p=0.004). The subjects with asthma and a negative history of NIR obtained MCS scores that were similar to those of the controls (50 and 51, p=0.9). In this population based study, the physical Qol of the subjects with asthma was lower regardless of a previous history of NIR compared to controls. A positive history of NIR in asthma was however associated with a poorer mental Qol.
|
|
| 4. |
|
|
| 5. |
|
|
| 6. |
- Lindén, Anders, 1961, et al.
(författare)
-
Bronchodilation by an inhaled VPAC(2) receptor agonist in patients with stable asthma
- 2003
-
Ingår i: Thorax. - 0040-6376. ; 58:3, s. 217-21
-
Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- BACKGROUND: The synthetic vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP) analogue Ro 25-1553 is a selective VIP-PACAP type 2 (VPAC(2)) receptor agonist that causes a bronchodilatory effect in guinea pigs in vivo. The effect of Ro 25-1553 given by inhalation to patients with asthma was studied and compared with that of a long acting beta(2) adrenoceptor agonist. METHODS: Twenty four patients with moderate stable asthma participated in a double blind, randomised, placebo controlled, crossover study. The primary variable was bronchodilatory effect (increase in forced expiratory volume in 1 second, FEV(1)) after inhalation of Ro 25-1553 (100 microg or 600 microg) and formoterol (4.5 microg), respectively. Putative side effects were characterised by monitoring sitting blood pressure, serum potassium, electrocardiography and echocardiography. RESULTS: Inhalation of 600 microg Ro 25-1553 caused a rapid bronchodilatory effect (geometric mean increase in FEV(1) compared with placebo) within 3 minutes of 6% (95% CI 4 to 9), as did inhalation of formoterol (8% (95% CI 5 to 10)). The corresponding maximum bronchodilatory effect during 24 hours was similar for 600 microg Ro 25-1553 (7% (95% CI 4 to 10)) and the reference bronchodilator formoterol (10% (95% CI 7 to 12)). However, for both doses of Ro 25-1553 the bronchodilatory effect was attenuated 5 hours after inhalation whereas formoterol still had a bronchodilatory effect 12 hours after inhalation. Neither Ro 25-1553 nor formoterol produced any clinically relevant side effects. No drug related difference in adverse events was observed. CONCLUSION: Inhalation of a synthetic selective VPAC(2) receptor agonist constitutes a promising approach for bronchodilation in patients with asthma.
|
|
| 7. |
- Lötvall, Jan, 1956, et al.
(författare)
-
Comparing the effects of two inhaled glucocorticoids on allergen-induced bronchoconstriction and markers of systemic effects, a randomised cross-over double-blind study
- 2011
-
Ingår i: Clinical and Translational Allergy. - : Wiley. - 2045-7022. ; 1:1
-
Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Abstract Background Inhaled glucocorticoids are efficient in protecting against asthma exacerbations, but methods to compare their efficacy vs systemic effects have only been attempted in larger multi-centre studies. The aim of the current study was therefore to directly compare the effects of two separate inhaled glucocorticoids, mometasone and budesonide, to compare the effects on the early and late asthmatic responses to inhaled allergen in patients with mild allergic asthma, and sputum eosinophils, and to relate the clinical positive effects to any systemic effects observed. Methods Twelve patients with documented early and late asthmatic responses (EAR and LAR) to inhaled allergen at a screening visit were randomized in a double-blind fashion to treatment with mometasone (200 μg × 2 or 400 μg × 2), budesonide (400 μg × 2) or placebo in a double-blind crossover fashion for a period of seven days. Challenge with the total allergen dose causing both an EAR and LAR was given on the last day of treatment taken in the morning. Lung function was assessed using FEV1, and systemic glucocorticoid activity was quantified using 24 h urinary cortisol. Results Mometasone and budesonide attenuate both EAR and LAR to allergen to a similar degree. No significant dose-related effects on the lung function parameters were observed. Both treatments reduced the relative amount of sputum eosinophils (%) after allergen. At the dose of 800 μg daily, mometasone reduced 24 h urinary cortisol by approximately 35%. Both drugs were well tolerated. Conclusions Mometasone and budesonide are equieffective in reducing early and late asthmatic responses induced by inhaled allergen challenge. Mometasone 800 μg given for seven days partially affects the HPA axis.
|
|
| 8. |
- Lötvall, Jan, 1956, et al.
(författare)
-
The effect of formoterol over 24 h in patients with asthma: the role of enantiomers
- 2005
-
Ingår i: Pulmonary Pharmacology & Therapeutics. - : Elsevier BV. - 1522-9629 .- 1094-5539. ; 18:2, s. 109-13
-
Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- The single-dose effect of formoterol racemate and enantiomers on bronchodilatation up to 24 h was determined. Forty-six reversible asthmatic patients were randomised to this double blind, crossover study. Formoterol was inhaled by nebulizer (HaloLite(R)); 4.5 and 36 mug of the racemate (rac-formoterol), 2.25 and 18 mug of (R;R)-formoterol, 18 mug of (S;S)-formoterol, or placebo. Airway and systemic effects were assessed by serial measurements of forced expiratory volume during the first second, FEV1 (24 h), and heart rate (4 h). Rac- and (R;R)formoterol significantly and dose-dependently increased FEV1, with similar mean maximal effect. (S;S)-formoterol was without significant effects on FEV1 and heart rate. (R;R)- and rac-formoterol were still effective 22-24 h after single high doses, but this was associated with some systemic side effect (increased heart rate) initially. Average 22-24 h FEV1 was 8% (rac-formoterol 36 mug) and 11% ((R-R)-formoterol 18 mug) over placebo, respectively. No significant differences in effects were observed between rac- and (R;R)-formoterol. Thus, the single dose bronchodilatating effect of formoterol resides in (R;R)-formoterol. This study does not indicate a clinically important advantage of (R;R)-formoterol as acute bronchodilator compared to the racemate.
|
|
| 9. |
- Nopp, A, et al.
(författare)
-
Basophil allergen threshold sensitivity : A useful approach to anti-IgE treatment efficacy evaluation
- 2006
-
Ingår i: Allergy. European Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology. - : Wiley. - 0105-4538 .- 1398-9995. ; 61:3, s. 298-302
-
Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Background: Monitoring of the allergen sensitivity of a patient is most important for optimal patient care and a basic prerequisite for immunomodulating treatment. The objective of this study was to investigate how basophil allergen sensitivity can be applied in the monitoring of anti-immunoglobulin E (IgE) treatment. Methods: Basophils from timothy grass pollen allergic patients were, by flow cytometry, analysed for allergen threshold sensitivity (CD-sens) by measuring CD63 up-regulation on CD203c-identified basophils. The results were compared with maximal percentage CD63 up-regulation at one allergen dose (CD-max), skin prick test end-point allergen titration, (SPT-sens), nasal provocation titration tests (nasal provocation titre) and serum IgE and IgE antibody concentrations. Results: There was a significant correlation (r = 0.50, P = 0.01) between CD-sens and SPT-sens, CD-sens and the IgE antibody concentration in percentage of 'total IgE' (relative IgE antibody concentration) (r = 0.72, P < 0.001) as well as between CD-sens and nasal provocation titre (r = 0.54, P < 0.05) but, in contrast, CD-max did not correlate with any of the sensitization parameters, i.e. SPT-sens, nasal provocation titre, absolute and relative IgE antibody concentration or CD-sens. CD-sens could be used to monitor omalizumab treatment efficacy while, based on CD-max, four of seven symptom-free patients on omalizumab would have been classified as having ongoing allergy. Conclusions: CD-sens seems to be very useful for the determination of a patient's allergen sensitivity and should be evaluated for the measurement and monitoring of anti-IgE treatment efficacy. CD-max, the conventional approach to basophil allergen challenge, which mirrors cell reactivity, gives incorrect information. Copyright © Blackwell Munksgaard 2006.
|
|
| 10. |
- Nopp, A., et al.
(författare)
-
CD-sens and clinical changes during withdrawal of Xolair after 6 years of treatment
- 2007
-
Ingår i: Allergy. - : Wiley. - 1398-9995 .- 0105-4538. ; 62:10, s. 1175-1181
-
Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Background: Many clinical trials with omalizumab, Xolair, have been reported but the treatment period has always been short, i.e. < 12 months. After withdrawal, the clinical symptoms tend to return. A group of patients who stopped treatment after approx. 6 years allowed studies of the long-term effects of Xolair. Methods: The patient's cat or mite allergen sensitivity was quantitated as basophil allergen threshold sensitivity, CD-sens, and immunoglobulin E (IgE) and IgE- and IgG4-antibodies were determined before start and during treatment withdrawal. Asthma severity was evaluated from forced expiratory volume (FEV), peak expiratory flow (PEF) and a questionnaire. Results: At 6-14 months without Xolair 13 of the 18 cat and mite allergic asthmatics had either improved or remained the same as on treatment. Most of the patients were in a stable clinical condition reporting high quality of life, no increased nightly asthma attacks, no emergency visits as well as little or no increase in medication. The CD-sens to cat showed a peak 4 months after withdrawal but then decreased to levels below those of untreated patients with allergic asthma and at 12 months six of 14 had nonreactive basophils. Cat IgG4 antibody levels were higher than in cat allergics in general. Conclusion: Most of the patients 12-14 months had, after closing of 6-year Xolair treatment, a surprisingly mild asthma. Interestingly, and probably contributing to the clinical results, a downregulation of basophil, and presumably also mast cell, reactivity, was seen.
|
|
| 11. |
- O'Byrne P, M., et al.
(författare)
-
Budesonide/Formoterol combination therapy as both maintenance and reliever medication in asthma
- 2005
-
Ingår i: Am J Respir Crit Care Med. ; 171:2, s. 129-36
-
Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Asthma control is improved by combining inhaled corticosteroids with long-acting beta(2)-agonists. However, fluctuating asthma control still occurs. We hypothesized that in patients receiving low maintenance dose budesonide/formoterol (bud/form), replacing short-acting beta(2)-agonist (SABA) reliever with as-needed bud/form would provide rapid symptom relief and simultaneous adjustment in antiinflammatory therapy, thereby reducing exacerbations. In this double-blind, randomized, parallel-group study, 2,760 patients with asthma aged 4-80 years (FEV(1) 60-100% predicted) received either terbutaline 0.4 mg as SABA with bud/form 80/4.5 mug twice a day (bud/form + SABA) or bud 320 mug twice a day (bud + SABA) or bud/form 80/4.5 mug twice a day with 80/4.5 mug as-needed (bud/form maintenance + relief). Children used a once-nocte maintenance dose. Bud/form maintenance + relief prolonged time to first severe exacerbation (p < 0.001; primary endpoint), resulting in a 45-47% lower exacerbation risk versus bud/form + SABA (hazard ratio, 0.55; 95% confidence interval, 0.44, 0.67) or bud + SABA (hazard ratio, 0.53; 95% confidence interval 0.43, 0.65). Bud/form maintenance + relief also prolonged the time to the first, second, and third exacerbation requiring medical intervention (p < 0.001), reduced severe exacerbation rate, and improved symptoms, awakenings, and lung function compared with both fixed dosing regimens.
|
|
| 12. |
- Palmqvist, Mona, 1957, et al.
(författare)
-
Differential effects of fluticasone and montelukast on allergen-induced asthma
- 2005
-
Ingår i: Allergy. ; 60:1
-
Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Early asthmatic responses (EAR) and late asthmatic responses (LAR) to allergen are induced by the local release of a series of bronchoconstrictor mediators, including leukotrienes and histamine. Both anti-leukotrienes and other anti-asthma drugs, such as inhaled glucocorticoids, have been shown to reduce both EAR and LAR. The aim of the present study was to directly compare the effects of regular treatment with an oral anti-leukotriene, montelukast (Mont; 10 mg once daily, for 8 days), and an inhaled glucocorticoid [fluticasone propionate (FP) 250 mug twice daily for 8 days] on the EAR and LAR to an inhaled allergen challenge. Patients with a documented EAR and LAR at a screening visit were randomized to these treatments, or placebo, in a double-blind, double-dummy, crossover fashion. Allergen challenge at a dose causing both an EAR and LAR was given on the eighth day of treatment. The maximum fall in FEV(1) during the EAR was 17.8% during placebo treatment, 8.3% during Mont and 16.3% during FP (P < 0.05 for Mont vs placebo). The maximum fall during the EAR was 13.8% during placebo treatment, 11.8% during Mont and 2% during FP treatment (P < 0.05 for FP vs placebo and FP vs Mont). PC(20) methacholine was significantly higher 24 h after allergen challenge during FP-treatment compared with Mont (P < 0.05). Both montelukast and fluticasone reduced the relative amount of sputum eosinophils after allergen compared with placebo treatment. This study shows that anti-leukotrienes are effective to attenuate the EAR, whereas inhaled glucocorticoids are more effective than anti-leukotrienes in attenuating the EARs and improves bronchial hyperresponsiveness to a greater extent. In conclusion, inhaled glucocorticoids have overall greater efficacy than oral anti-leukotrienes to attenuate allergen-induced airway responses in mild asthmatic patients.
|
|
| 13. |
- Palmqvist, Mona, 1957, et al.
(författare)
-
Reduced late asthmatic response by repeated low-dose allergen exposure
- 2001
-
Ingår i: The European respiratory journal. - 0903-1936. ; 17:5, s. 872-80
-
Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Allergic asthmatic individuals are often exposed to low-doses of allergen in their everyday life. Extended exposure to allergen has lead to down-regulation of the allergic process in cell systems and in animal models. The aim of this study was to evaluate whether any such inhibitory mechanism of allergic responses can be seen in man in vivo. Patients with mild asthma were repeatedly and double-blindly exposed to 25% of the individual dose of allergen that caused an early (EAR) and late asthmatic reaction (LAR). One day after the low-dose allergen or placebo exposure periods, the same individual was given a high-dose allergen challenge. Sputum and blood were collected for the evaluation of eosinophils. Exposure to repeated low doses of allergen induced increased bronchial methacholine responsiveness 6 h after the final allergen exposure (p=0.018), and an increase in the number of eosinophils in sputum. By contrast, the late asthmatic response after challenge with a high dose of allergen was significantly attenuated by approximately 30% at 24 h after the final low-dose allergen exposure (p = 0.03). In summary, repeated low doses of allergen given directly to the airways, attenuate the high-dose allergen-induced late response, despite enhanced bronchial hyperresponsiveness to methacholine and elevated sputum eosinophils prior to allergen challenge.
|
|
| 14. |
- Pullerits, Teet, 1967, et al.
(författare)
-
The triad of current asthma, rhinitis and eczema is uncommon among adults: Prevalence, sensitization profiles, and risk factors
- 2021
-
Ingår i: Respiratory Medicine. - : Elsevier BV. - 0954-6111 .- 1532-3064. ; 176
-
Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Background Coexistence of asthma, rhinitis, and eczema has been studied in children, but data are lacking in adults. As new treatments emerge, epidemiological data on the coexistence are needed. Aims To study the prevalence of concomitant asthma, rhinitis and eczema in the general adult population and among those sensitized to aeroallergens, and to study associations between background characteristics and risks of phenotypes of asthma, rhinitis, and eczema. Methods In the West Sweden Asthma Study, phenotypes and sensitization profiles of 1103 randomly selected adults (16–75 years) were assessed. The methods included measures of serum-IgE and structured interviews on asthma, rhinitis, eczema, their associated symptoms, and relevant risk factors. Results Among all participants and in those sensitized, 2% and 6% had concomitant asthma, rhinitis, and eczema, respectively, and the condition did not differ by age or sex. Corresponding figures for asthma and rhinitis, but not eczema, was 8% and 19%, respectively. Determinants of coexistence of the three conditions were family history of asthma/allergy, body mass index, and occupational exposure to gas, dust and fumes. Allergic sensitization in those with asthma, rhinitis and eczema was found in 78%, in those with asthma and rhinitis but not eczema in 65%, in those with asthma and eczema but not rhinitis in 40%, while only 5% were sensitized among those having asthma only. Conclusions In the general adult population about 2% have concomitant asthma, rhinitis, and eczema. Of sensitized adults, about 6% has coexistence of the three conditions.
|
|
| 15. |
- Sundberg, Rosita, 1944, et al.
(författare)
-
A randomized controlled study of a computerized limited education program among young adults with asthma
- 2005
-
Ingår i: Respir Med. ; 99:3
-
Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- The aim of the study was to assess the effectiveness of a computerized limited asthma education program, designed to suit young people. The study was conducted with 97 young adults (18-25 years) with asthma, 48 were randomized to the intervention group and 49 to the control group, and they were followed for 12 months. The intervention group completed an interactive computer program of 30-min duration providing information about asthma, mechanisms, trigger factors, allergies and medication use, which was followed by a 30-min discussion with a specialized asthma nurse. The control group followed the routine schedule for asthma outpatients. The outcomes of the study were number of hospital admissions, emergency visits, asthma symptoms, knowledge about asthma, lung function and quality of life. No effect was found regarding admission to hospital, emergency visits, prevalence of respiratory symptoms, knowledge of asthma or quality of life. However, forced exhaled volume in 1s (FEV(1)) increased significantly, mainly among the atopic subjects. In conclusion, an intervention with a limited asthma education program did not show an effect on asthma symptoms, asthma knowledge or quality of life parameters.
|
|
| 16. |
- Sundberg, Rosita, 1944, et al.
(författare)
-
Health-related quality of life in young adults with asthma
- 2009
-
Ingår i: Respiratory Medicine. - : Elsevier BV. - 1532-3064 .- 0954-6111. ; 103:10, s. 1580-1585
-
Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Background: The aim was to study health-related quality of life, five years after an intervention study among young adults with asthma. Method: The design was a follow-up study of a cohort of young adults with asthma (n = 64) and 248 general, population controls. Both groups were investigated at follow-up with a respiratory questionnaire and one generic quality-of-life instrument, and the asthma cohort also completed one-asthma-specific questionnaire. The material was analyzed with multivariate models. Results: Female gender and tow FEV1 at baseline predicted both a decline during follow-up and a tow quality of life at follow-up. The asthma cohort and controls scored similarly regarding generic quality of life. However, in the asthma cohort, females scored significantly lower in the physical dimension of the generic instrument, especially in the domain of general, health. Conclusions: There is an association between tow FEV1 and a decline in quality of life among young adults with asthma, i.e. low FEV1 predicts a decline in quality of life during a five-year period. Young females with asthma seem to have lower quality of life compared with young mates with asthma. (C) 2009 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.
|
|
| 17. |
- Torén, Kjell, 1952, et al.
(författare)
-
Self-reported asthma was biased in relation to disease severity while reported year of asthma onset was accurate
- 2006
-
Ingår i: J Clin Epidemiol.. ; 59:1
-
Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: The aims of the study were to assess the accuracy of self-reported asthma and notified year of asthma onset. METHODS: The study was performed on a sample of 365 subjects, 18-60 years old, with clinically diagnosed onset of asthma between 1983 and 1986. All subjects were investigated 10 years later, in 1996, with a respiratory questionnaire about the items of asthma and year of onset. The material was analyzed with logistic regression models. RESULTS: Of the 289 subjects who returned the questionnaire, asthma was reconfirmed in 251 subjects. In a logistic regression model, asthma severity was significantly associated with confirmation of asthma. The median difference between the "true" year of onset and the reported year 10 years later, the recall period was zero, with a 10th to 90th interpercentile range of -2 to 6 years. The recall period was not associated with asthma severity, bronchial hyperresponsiveness, smoking, atopy, or sex. CONCLUSION: Self-reported asthma is biased in relation to disease severity, meaning that subjects with mild disease were less prone to report their asthma. Reported year of asthma onset among adults seems to be rather accurate, with no obvious dependent misclassifications.
|
|
| 18. |
- Zetterberg, Henrik, 1973, et al.
(författare)
-
Increased frequency of combined methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase C677T and A1298C mutated alleles in spontaneously aborted embryos.
- 2002
-
Ingår i: European journal of human genetics : EJHG. - : Springer Science and Business Media LLC. - 1018-4813 .- 1476-5438. ; 10:2, s. 113-8
-
Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- The pathogenesis of spontaneous abortion is complex, presumably involving the interaction of several genetic and environmental factors. The methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) gene C677T and A1298C polymorphisms are commonly associated with defects in folate dependent homocysteine metabolism and have been implicated as risk factors for recurrent embryo loss in early pregnancy. In the present study we have determined the prevalence of combined MTHFR C677T and A1298C polymorphisms in DNA samples from spontaneously aborted embryos (foetal death between sixth and twentieth week after conception) and adult controls using solid-phase minisequencing technique. There was a significant odds ratio of 14.2 (95% CI 1.78-113) in spontaneously aborted embryos comparing the prevalence of one or more 677T and 1298C alleles vs the wild type combined genotype (677CC/1298AA), indicating that the MTHFR polymorphisms may have a major impact on foetal survival. Combined 677CT/1298CC, 677TT/1298AC or 677TT/1298CC genotypes, which contain three or four mutant alleles, were not detected in any of the groups, suggesting complete linkage disequilibrium between the two polymorphisms. The present finding of high prevalence of mutated MTHFR genotypes in spontaneously aborted embryos emphasises the potential protective role of periconceptional folic acid supplementation.
|
|
| 19. |
- Zetterberg, Henrik, 1973, et al.
(författare)
-
Influence of the apolipoprotein E epsilon4 allele on human embryonic development.
- 2002
-
Ingår i: Neuroscience letters. - 0304-3940. ; 324:3, s. 189-92
-
Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Human apolipoprotein E (apoE) exists in three major isoforms encoded by distinct alleles (APOE epsilon2, epsilon3 and epsilon4) and has important functions in nerve development and repair. Inheritance of the 4 allele is a major risk factor for the development of Alzheimer's disease. To investigate the role of APOE polymorphisms in embryonic development, we analyzed the APOE genotypes of 81 spontaneously aborted embryos and 110 adult controls using a solid-phase minisequencing technique. The epsilon4 allele was significantly less frequent in the spontaneous abortion group than in the control group (P=0.009), while the frequency of epsilon3 was significantly increased (P=0.005), suggesting that epsilon4 may have protective effects during embryogenesis. These protective effects might counterbalance the deleterious age-related effects of the epsilon4 allele in natural selection.
|
|
